Blocking device for a beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a blocking device for a beverage dispenser. The technical problem exists of providing a lock for dispensers of this type that can be opened in an uncomplicated manner by the authorized individuals but reliably prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing the contents of the dispenser, however, while at the same time not elevating the security of the lock to such an extent that a loss of a key or of a locking device would lead to a complete inaccessibility to the system, that is to say, not by the authorized individuals as a result of their negligence (loss or misplacing of the key) but by generally unauthorized individuals. To this end, the invention provides a blocking device provided for or on a beverage dispenser comprising a holding device ( 10 ) for a beverage and a cover ( 20 ) situated above the holding device while provided for covering a filled beverage supply (G). When closed, the cover, with section ( 21 ), overlaps the holding device having an edge section ( 11, 12 ). A blocking device ( 30 ) is displaceably mounted (A, 23 ) in the overlapping section ( 21 ). The displaceability (A) of the blocking device ( 30 ) is hindered by an obstructing device ( 40 ) when the obstructing device is located in a position of rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a barrier device for a drinks dispenser or sucha device on a drinks dispenser. The invention also relates to a lockingprocess for a drinks container, which consists of a lower part (asdrinks reservoir for the drink to be mixed or finally mixed drink) and acover, which as upper part covers the charged drink to air and foreignaccess. Finally, the invention also relates to the barrier device assuch, with which a drinks dispenser made from upper and lower part maybe fitted, or with which a process may be carried out, which may locksuch a drinks container comprising upper and lower part.

2. Description of the Related Art

From U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,621 (Smith), a container in round form isknown, which is covered by a cover, which engages over a container edgewith an apron portion. A tongue (18, 32, 33 there), which engagesthrough a flap or eyelet arranged on the container body, is arranged onthe container edge when the cover (15, 16 there) is rotated inperipheral direction with respect to the container body. Locking is thuspossible, reinforcing the lock by bending the flap, and a completeclosure technology by introducing a seal or attaching a wire maycompletely secure the closed position. An intermediate solution betweencomplete security and easy opening is however not provided due to theflap which is accessible at any time externally. On the other hand,DE-U-295 12 609 (Engelbrecht) intended for a distant technicalspecialist field, shows a locking device on a large base body whichpermits closing of the cover with respect to the body, to permit onlyauthorized people to open by wrench, but to permit opening of the largecontainer during emptying thereof (by tilting) to a quite specificcircle of people, during which tilting movement the closure device isopened automatically even if no wrench is present. Finally, U.S. Pat.No. 2,809,062 (Mainhardt) shows magnetic locking of door and soffit,wherein a bolt is displaced in its position by a magnet (actingexternally), such that it can be displaced axially between a closedposition and an open position. The closed position and the open positionof the magnet also define the closed position and the open position ofthe door described there.

A drinks dispenser is described in for example EP-B 1 132 316 (WolfgangJobmann). There, the air closure and ensuring the quality of thecontents of the drinks dispenser is crucial. With regard to a generaldesign of such a dispenser, reference may be made to this publication.In problem areas, such as for example psychiatric departments or placesof detention or even in normal canteen operation without a continuousmonitoring facility of such a drinks dispenser, there is a probleminasmuch as unauthorized access to the contents of the drinks dispensermay not be monitored and consequently also not reliably prevented.Herein lies a potential danger not to be underestimated for the contentsof the dispenser, which firstly would have to be protected againstremoval and secondly should also be protected against change (in color,the contents, the quality of the contents, the tone as regards taste ofthe contents or the medical and health harmlessness).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Usually, premix dispensers, that is, such drinks dispensers in whichliquid contents are present stored finally mixed in the lower part, arenot provided with reliable locking, but have freely removable containercovers (upper parts).

The technical problem is therefore posed in such premix dispensers toprovide locking, which on the one hand may be opened by the authorizedpersonnel without problems, on the other hand reliably stopsunauthorized people from access to the contents of the premix dispenser,but at the same time does not raise the security of locking so far thata loss of a wrench of a closing device leads to complete inaccessibilityof the system, that is does not make the authorized personnel generallyunauthorized people for their carelessness (loss or mislaying of thewrench).

A locking portion, which starts from the upper part, is thus proposed. Aportion thus reaches over the lower part and a barrier device issupported displaceably in this portion. This barrier device has a restposition and an open position. The barrier device is locked in the restposition and prevents removal of the upper part from the lower part.

In the open position (an unlocked release state), the lock may bereleased, in order to remove the cover from the drinks reservoir (thelower part). The open position is the unlocked position for the blockingbody (operating position).

To this end, the displaceable barrier device is influenced, particularlyinhibited, by a blocking device in its rest position such that the restposition is permanently blocked, so that a displacement of the barrierdevice at the reaching-over portion is not possible or is possible onlyinasmuch as the locking position of the upper part with respect to thelower part is not influenced.

The barrier device thus has as a retrofit kit, independent kit orstructural element, an elongated locking bolt (also as a plate), whichhas a recess which accommodates in engaging manner a blocking body inthe rest state in order to block the said displacement movement of thelocking bolt. The blocking body as such may be released, in particularusing a magnet in order to raise the blocking body out of the blockingposition, in which it engages into the barrier device (as locking bolt).Raising out is an action against gravitational force, wherein thegravitational force by itself allows the blocking body to engage intothe barrier device so that no additional forces, spring forces or othermeasures are necessary to reach the locking state. Simple pushing in ofthe barrier device from the unlocking position (the release state) intothe locking position (the barrier state) achieves engagement of theblocking body caused by gravitational force into the recess on thebarrier device, as a result of which the locking state is secured.

Access for authorized operating personnel results from engagement of amagnet in that region in which the blocking device lies. The blockingdevice itself responds to magnetic fields and can be raised by themagnetic field which thus has to be sufficiently strong against theaction of gravitational force in order to reestablish thedisplaceability of the barrier device which cannot be magnetised here,which may then be displaced into the release state.

A security possibility lies in the fact that a particularly highmagnetic force, which is achieved for example only by an electromagnet,facilitates unblocking of the locking state. Accordingly, the blockingbody (as blocking device) is also designed to be so heavy that not justany pocket magnet is able to carry out unblocking.

On the other hand, the exchangeability of the aid designed as a“magnetic wrench” is provided inasmuch as misplacing or loss of thismagnet does not generally prevent unblocking. A different securitymeasure is also possible insofar as the drink is first of all completelyremoved from the removal valve on the lower end of the lower part, inorder to then achieve unlocking by the action of gravitational force byinverting the whole apparatus. The blocking body is thus released fromthe recess of the barrier device and allows displacement from the restposition (the barrier state) into the release state also withoutassistance of the “magnetic wrench” applying the magnetic force.

This change of position of the blocking body is likewise a change fromthe rest position (which lies in most cases deeper) into the operatingposition, which lies in most cases higher, which is geared to the stateof the drinks dispenser which stands in the upright state, Duringinversion of the whole apparatus, this relationship is changedaccordingly.

Instead of a single barrier device, several barrier devices may beprovided on the periphery of a dispenser, which are at such a distancefrom one another that together they ensure locking, which also protectsa large surface from unauthorized access, hence it is possible, forexample to prevent locking provided at only one point from being able tobe bypassed by tilting or tipping the cover. For a square design, aparticular opposite attachment is available, hence two or four lockingdevices in each case having magnetically effective blocking body. For around design of the lower part 10 and therefore also of the upper part,two opposing barrier devices may be sufficient.

The apron portion, which engages over the upper edge of the lower part,may be either laterally restricted in its extension, or annularly, andthe upper edge portion may also be this, either designed only where aparticular locking device is arranged, or likewise annularly.

The cover may be cleaned hygienically (for example by dishwashingmachine) with the engaging apron (portion) which comprises the barrierdevice, it thus means no additional stress of the hard everyday life ofa dispenser to be kept clean regularly and hygienically. Due to thepossibility of inverting of the whole apparatus after complete removal,the contents may also be protected reliably. It is indeed not thusprotected against unauthorized removal via the removal valve, but may beprotected with regard to its total contents in that it is notmanipulated by foreign personnel. In the worst case, an unauthorizedperson may remove the total contents, but may not change the totalcontents in their color, health or other consistency by adding medicallydubious substances.

The security is sufficient and adequate. It is not exaggerated, but alsonot so easy to overcome that very simple attack on the barrier system ispossible by a third party.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. illustrates a closed drinks container in accordance with theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment is to illustrate (clarify and supplement) the system ofthe invention in more detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion between upper part and lower part, on whichan example of a barrier device is arranged so that the rest position(the barrier state) is shown. The representation is a sectional view,wherein the remaining region can be easily imagined if conventionaldrinks dispensers are the base, on which this barrier device may bearranged. The example is thus similar to the mode of operation, for anovel dispenser which has this device already arranged, and an assemblydevice as such which is available separately as a kit in order toretrofit known dispensers or to pre-fit novel dispensers at the factory.

FIG. 1 illustrates the closed state of a drinks container, to which acover 20 belongs, which is provided with a cover wall 29 correspondingessentially to the size of the lower part 10 and which may be formedfrom translucent or transparent plastic. The lower part 10, which iscovered by the cover 20 and its cover wall 29, has a large-volume recessbody 10, in which a drink G is charged as premix drink, when the cover20, 29 has been removed. The drink G is covered by the cover 29, 20after charging into the lower part and the dispenser is closed. Notshown is a removal valve, which is arranged on the lower edge of thedrinks container 10, in order to be able to remove, if required, drinkfrom the pre-prepared drinks supply G.

In the left upper portion, the closed state is illustrated withengagement of an apron 21 which starts from the cover 20. The apronengages over an angularly-held projection 11, 12 on the upper edge ofthe lower part 10 and supports at its lower end portion a housing 22having an upper cover wall 22 a and a lower wall opening 22 b. A flangeportion, which has expansion extending in the depth direction of thepaper at least in the region of a bolt body 30, projects radiallyoutwards, whereas a displacement support 23 is arranged below thisflange and the compartment 22, for at least partial encompassing of thebolt 30, which may be displaced to the left and to the right betweencompartment 22 and upper flange and lower displacement support 23.

The bolt may be extended as a flat plate piece in the depth direction ofthe paper. However, it may also be designed as a non-round bar or bedesigned to be polygonal. Accordingly, the lower opening 22 b and thelower end portion of the compartment 22 and the flange projectingtherefrom and the lower displacement support 23 will be formed. However,the elongated bolt 30 does not extend along the entire periphery, butonly on at least one point of the drinks container which is designed tobe for example round or polygonal in peripheral direction, in particularquadrilateral.

The barrier device 30 may be provided at several points which arearranged at a distance peripherally or along the periphery of apolygonal body 10, if several locks are to be provided at severalperipherally distributed points. Only one locking device on one point ofthe container is described here, which may also easily be transferred toa different point with appropriate design according to the descriptionreferred to here. When providing several spaced locking devices, whicheach has an independent barrier device 30, in each case such a devicemay be arranged on a portion of an apron running in lateral direction,or the apron 21 is kept essentially continuous. The projection 11, 12,under which blocking or locking is carried out, may also be designed tobe continuous, or only at those points at which a particular barrierdevice 30 is provided.

The position shown is the locking or rest position, in which the drinkis charged, and the cover 20 rests on the lower part 10 serving asrecess for the drink, for example on a is resilient mounting not drawnhere at a different location than that which is illustrated by thesection in FIG. 1.

The rest position has two properties. Firstly, the pin is pushed in tothe right in FIG. 1 and engages below the angular projection 11, 12 onthe container body 10, so that the cover 20, 29 cannot be removed.Secondly, the inserted bolt is as a barrier device 30 through a round tooval magnetizable body 40 in a blocked state, which blocking body 40 isshown here as non-round in cross-section and may be moved upwards in thecompartment 22. It engages in the engaged state through the loweropening 22 b of the compartment 22, which is covered externally by anupper wall 22 a to be non-transparent, in order to externally hide theblocking body 40. Engagement of the blocking body 40 in a recess 31essentially matched to the shape of the blocking body on the lockingbolt 30 ensures lateral blocking of the displaceability of the bolt,which may not thus be displaced in direction A—in the rest positionshown.

The design of the blocking body 40 is shown in the figure to be round tooval in cross-section. This cross-sectional shape may also be variedconsiderably in various further embodiments. Hence, for example a boltpiece is possible which, with its axial direction, runs in verticaldirection in FIG. 1 and has flat end-face surfaces (top and bottom).This bolt piece may be made from metal and may be covered with a layerwhich is suitable for food contact applications, hygienical and at leasteasily washable.

In depth direction (vertically to the plane of the paper of FIG. 1), theblocking body may have a freely selectable shape (or depth or breadth).It may be designed as a ring segment, but it may also be designedaccording to the above variant as a standing cylindrical or square boltpiece. Accordingly, the inner compartment 22 and the associated outerwall 22 a of this compartment is also designed to be fitting. If thering extends on a partial segment of the periphery, it will match withan at least equally flatly extending barrier device 30, which is thenrather formed in plate-like manner, with respect to a rather bar-shapeddesign for a blocking body 40 designed as a sphere or oval.

The closed state of the drinks cover with the engaging portion 21, onwhich the barrier device described is arranged, ensures that theblocking body 40 operating as blocking device inhibits, in particularcompletely prevents, the displaceability of the barrier device 30, ifmatching of the shape and the associated positive locking in the recess31 is precise. This rest position ensures that the displaceably mountedbolt 30 cannot be displaced in direction A into an operating positionand unfolds with its inner end (the end facing the drinks container) abarrier action below the laterally projecting edge portion 11, 12, whichprevents release of the cover without changing the position of theblocking body 40.

An opening is possible, if with a magnetic key 50, for example a strongbar magnet or preferably also an electromagnet, which unfolds such ahigh magnetic force via the magnetic field M that a heavy blocking body40 may be raised and blocking 40, 31 is released. In addition, themagnetic field M acts externally on the blocking body through thecompartment cover 22 a, raises it against its gravitational force in thedirection “a” and permits displacement of the bolt by engagement on theouter gripping portion. The inner portion 35 of the bolt is thus movedoutwards and abuts on the inwardly pointing surface of the apron 21. Inthis stop position, which is the operating position or release position,the barrier is raised and the cover may be removed. The inner end 35 ofthe locking bolt 30 is thus moved past the outermost portion 12 of theedge portion 11, 12, without considerable contact taking place.

The removed cover releases access to the interior of the container,permits cleaning thereof, and permits cleaning of the container cover20, even together with the barrier device 30 which is arranged on thecover itself and is also removed.

During closing of the drinks container, the process is carried out inreverse. First of all the barrier device 30 is moved outwards,optionally with turning of the cover 20 so that gravitational forceensures release of the barrier 40, 31 in order to then be able to placethe cover in the outwardly released state of the bolt 30 again on thefilled container lower part 10.

No further recess, in particular also no depression is provided betweenthe locking recess 31 and the inner end 35 of the locking bolt 30, sothat the blocking body 40 can no longer engage here if the first barrierin the recess 31 is removed. In this position of the blocking bolt 30approaching the release position, the barrier body 40 is held in thecompartment 21 in an elevated position, thus here is itself blocked and,during insertion of the locking bolt 30, due to its gravitational forceautomatically falls into the blocking or locking position, which isshown in FIG. 1.

To facilitate this stroke movement, the compartment 22 has a heightmatched to the height of the blocking body 40. It is at least so highthat the blocking body 40 may leave the recess 31 and produces thedisplaceability of the bolt 30.

The two end portions, firstly the gripping portion 36 and secondly theinner locking portion 35 of the bolt may be designed to be thickened orbroader in order to achieve an improved effect and in order tofacilitate the displaceability within the guide portions 23 or theunderside of the compartment 22 with the outwardly projecting flange.Hence, the bolt 30 may not fall out from the apron portion 21 and formswith it a coherent functional unit.

The described embodiment can also be realised as a constructional unit,wherein a corresponding assembly portion is joined to the apron portion21, the assembly portion being arranged on an upper part of a drinkscontainer not yet provided with locking. This assembly portion may runfor example horizontally, in order to be able to be assembled on thecover wall 29, at least an outer portion of this cover wall 29, forexample by adhering or assembling using a screw device which is notaccessible externally.

The magnetic device 50 serving as “wrench” (or key) is drawn here as abar magnet, but is preferably a stronger electromagnet, which is able toraise a blocking body matched as regards the weight to a stroke forceimparted by the magnetic field M. The electromagnet prevents foreign usedue to a small magnet or a pocket magnet already being able to lead topossible unlocking. The arrangement of the blocking body 40 in thecompartment 22 in turn also facilitates opening of the lower part 10 byremoving the cover, or by unblocking the barrier device if a magnet isnot available or is lost or just misplaced. The drink G may then beremoved completely from the described outlet (the valve or removalvalve), the entire dispenser may be placed on its head. Locking in therecess 31 is thus released by the gravitational force. The direction “a”is thus inverted downwards. Subsequent cleaning of the cover and of theentire container and re-filling is possible, even if the magnetic wrenchwas displaced.

By shaping the bolt 30 as a non-round bolt, for example flat bar orquadrangular or polygonal bolt body, twisting may be avoided. Also,manipulation by rotating, in particular by attempted upward pressing ofthe blocking body 40 may be prevented by such a design. However, it isthus to be ensured that the guide 23, 22, in which the displaceablebarrier device is guided, has the corresponding counter-shape, in orderto guarantee the essentially positively designed guide and rotarybarrier.

The locking bolt and the barrier body may be formed from hygienicallyfaultless material formed at least on their surface in order to be ableto clean them together with the cover and the container in a dishwashingmachine.

To be able to use the magnet, the blocking body 40 may consist either asa whole of magnetisable material or of such a hygienically faultlessmaterial, which contains essential portions which can be magnetised. Onthe one hand, a plastic material filled with iron particles is thuspossible, as it is also to consider a material consisting in the core ofa soft iron and which has an outer coating which meets the hygienicrequirements.

A hygienically faultless solution, that is a solution to be cleanedhygienically, is provided by the embodiment described, which is firmlyconnected to the cover 20, 29. It is adequately safe with regard toforeign intervention or foreign manipulation and not over-safe to theextent that operating personnel subject to forgetfulness are generallyprevented from re-filling or even cleaning the drinks dispenser. If themagnet required for raising the blocking body 40 should be lost,operating personnel may nevertheless open the emptied container by usingthe gravitational force opening (turning the container as a whole) andcarry out their maintenance work (washing, re-charge drink and thenclosing and re-erecting the drinks container at the indicated site).

1. A barrier arrangement for a drinks container dispenser, having areservoir (10) for drink and a cover (20) above the reservoir whereinthe barrier arrangement is disposed on a peripheral portion (21) of thecover (20), wherein the peripheral portion (21) reaching over an edgeportion (11, 12) of the reservoir when the cover is closing thereservoir (10) said edge portion including at least a flange projectingradially outwardly from said reservoir (10); the barrier arrangementlocated at said peripheral portion (21) of the cover comprising anelongate bolt (30) having a first end, a second end, and a transverselyoriented recess located between said ends, said bolt being slidablysupported on the peripheral portion of the cover within a supporthousing formed by a guide member (23) and a cover wall (22 a) thattogether define a compartment that houses a magnetic block (40) sizedfor at least partial receipt within said transversely oriented recess inthe absence of a magnetic field being applied through said cover wall(22 a) such that said bolt (30) can be slid between: (i) a firstposition wherein said magnetic block is positioned within said recesswhile said first end of said bolt is located below said flange therebylocking said cover onto said reservoir; and (ii) a second positionwherein said magnetic block is positioned within said compartment inresponse to the application of a magnetic field creating an attractiveforce such that said first end of said bolt is spaced away from saidflange thereby unlocking said cover from said reservoir.
 2. Barrierarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the displaceability of thebolt device (30) is released if the magnetic block (40) is in anoperating position.
 3. Barrier arrangement according to claim 2, whereinthe locking position of the magnetic block device (40) is lower than orbelow the operating position thereof.
 4. Barrier arrangement accordingto claim 1, wherein the magnetic block is a magnetizable blocking device(40), or is liftable, by a magnet (50), to allow a movement from thelocking position as rest position into the operating position, or torelease the locking position for a movement of the bolt as a barrierdevice into an unlocked position.
 5. Barrier arrangement according toclaim 4, wherein the operating position is higher than the restposition, and the magnetisable blocking device (40) is liftable or islifted against a gravitational force thereof by the magnet (50),providing said magnetic field (M) acting externally on the blockingdevice (40).
 6. Barrier arrangement according to claim 1, wherein thecompartment (22) provided at the peripheral portion (21) of the cover isat least difficult to access externally by a mechanical device. 7.Barrier arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the compartment isformed by a compartment wall (22 a) as a cover wall, externally coveringthe magnetic block (40), and at least one wall opening (22 b) isprovided internally in a direction of the bolt device (30).
 8. Barrierarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bolt (30) is shaped as anelongated pin, supported essentially non-rotatably in the guide member(23) on the peripheral portion of the cover.
 9. Barrier arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the bolt has a non-round cross-section.10. Barrier arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bolt (30) isat both ends thereof shaped to limit a displaceability by each endshape, by abutting at the peripheral portion (21, 23) of the cover. 11.Barrier arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cover (20) hasseveral barrier arrangements arranged in distributed manner, each ofwhich being arranged at one respective portion of the peripheral portionof the cover (20).
 12. Barrier arrangement according to claim 11,wherein the several peripheral portions form an essentially annularapron.
 13. Barrier arrangement according to claim 11, wherein severalflanges project on from the reservoir and each one being associated withone of the several barrier arrangements.
 14. Barrier arrangementaccording to claim 13, wherein the projecting flange is annular on thereservoir (10).
 15. Barrier arrangement according claim 1 wherein themagnetic block (40) and the bolt device (30) have at least on theirsurface a material which is hygienic, at least easily washable. 16.Barrier arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic block (40)is of round to oval shape having a minimum weight suitable for lockingthe bolt.
 17. Barrier arrangement according to claim 1 wherein themagnetic block (40) is shaped as a metallic bolt piece.
 18. Barrierarrangement of claim 1, the bolt designed as a polygonal bar. 19.Barrier arrangement of claim 17, the magnetic block having a polygonalcross-section.
 20. A drinks dispenser, having a reservoir (10) forholding a drink and a cover (20) above the reservoir, to cover afilled-in drink as supply (G), wherein a barrier arrangement is disposedon a peripheral portion (21) of the cover (20); the peripheral portion(21) reaching over an edge portion of the reservoir when the cover isclosing the reservoir (10) said edge portion defining an open end ofsaid reservoir (10); and the barrier arrangement located at saidperipheral portion (21) of the cover comprising an elongate bolt (30)having a first end, a second end, and a transversely oriented recesslocated between said ends, said bolt being slidably supported on theperipheral portion of the cover within a support housing formed by aguide member (23) and a cover wall (22 a) that together define acompartment that houses a magnetizable block sized for at least positionreceived within said transversely oriented recess in the absence of amagnetic field being applied to said magnetizable block such that saidbolt (30) can be slid between a first position wherein said block iswithin said recess while said first end of said bolt is located below aflange of the edge portion thereby locking said cover onto saidreservoir; and a second position wherein said block is positioned withinsaid compartment in response to the application of an attractivemagnetic force such that said first end of said bolt is spaced away fromsaid flange thereby unlocking said cover from said reservoir.